Estrogen dominance

What is estrogen dominance?

Estrogen dominance refers to a condition where a woman has excess estrogen in relation to progesterone. This hormonal imbalance can occur due to various factors like diet, environment, stress, poor liver function, etc.

Some key things to know about estrogen dominance:

• It often develops during perimenopause when progesterone levels start declining faster than estrogen. However, it can happen at other stages of life too.
• Common symptoms are irregular periods, heavy bleeding, bloating, weight gain, mood swings, hair loss, fatigue, etc.
• It can increase the risk for hormonal cancers, autoimmune disorders, and other issues if not managed properly.

Diagnosing estrogen dominance:

The key is to evaluate hormone levels with proper lab testing. Saliva tests like the DUTCH test directly measure estrogen and progesterone levels and their ratio. Blood tests can also be done but may not always reflect tissue concentrations accurately.

Natural ways to overcome estrogen dominance:

• Improve liver detoxification to optimize hormone metabolism
• Reduce exposure to xenoestrogens and endocrine disruptors
• Follow an anti-inflammatory diet focusing on fiber-rich plant foods
• Take supplements like DIM and Calcium d-Glucarate to aid detoxification
• Consider bioidentical progesterone cream to balance hormones
• Manage stress levels with meditation, yoga, etc.

If natural methods don't resolve symptoms, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may be considered under a doctor's guidance based on medical history and lab testing.

At Optimal Hormone Solutions, our functional medicine doctors specialize in customized natural hormone balancing programs personalized to an individual’s unique needs. We offer cutting-edge lab testing and tailor evidence-based nutritional, lifestyle and supplemental plans to help resolve estrogen dominance and restore optimal hormonal health for women.

I hope this gives you a good overview on this common but often overlooked issue. Let me know if you have any other questions! Getting your hormones balanced properly can create an incredible difference in quality of life.